Distributor and push-button comprising one such distributor

ABSTRACT

A dispenser head ( 1 ) for assembly on two parallel, hollow actuator rods, said head being made as a single piece of plastics material and comprising: two parallel coupling sleeves ( 11, 12 ) for engaging with respective ones of the actuator rods, the sleeves defining respective inlet ducts ( 110, 120 ); a dispenser endpiece ( 13 ) defining at least one outlet duct discharging into at least one dispenser orifice ( 1310, 1320 ); and a cross member ( 10 ) linking the sleeves to the endpiece, the cross member defining at least one connection duct ( 101, 102 ) linking the inlet ducts ( 110, 120 ) to the outlet duct(s) ( 1310, 1320 ), said at least one connection duct extending transversally both relative to the sleeves and relative to the outlet duct(s), said at least one connection duct ( 101, 102 ) including an access opening ( 1010, 1020 ) closed by a closure element ( 14, 15 ),the dispenser head being characterized in that the closure element ( 14, 15 ) is made integrally with the remainder ( 10, 11, 12, 13 ) of the head.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a dispenser head intended to beassembled on two parallel, hollow actuator rods. The actuator rods areeach part of a dispenser component, such as a pump or a valve. The pumpsor valves are assembled on different fluid containers so that eachdispenser component can take the fluid from its respective container anddispense it along the respective actuator rod to the dispenser head,which includes one or two dispenser orifices(s) from which the fluidmixture can be collected by the user. This type of distributor is betterknown under the term of “duo” dispenser, frequently found in the fieldof cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceuticals.

2. Description of Related Work

The present invention is applicable more particularly to dispenser headsfor assembly on the free ends of actuator rods. The dispenser head canbe incorporated or housed in an actuating pusher which can be presseddown using one or more fingers in order to actuate the dispensercomponents and thus dispense a quantity of fluid mixture. The head mayitself form a pusher. This kind of dispenser head must include leaktightcoupling means adjusted to cooperate with the free ends of the parallel,hollow actuator rods in the dispenser components. In general, suchcoupling means come in the form of sleeves engaged by force around thefree ends of the rods. Internally, these coupling sleeves define inletducts which preferably extend along the axes of the hollow actuatorrods. The dispenser head also comprises a dispenser endpiece whichdefines one or two outwardly-open outlet ducts which form one or twodispenser orifices. The number of outlet ducts and dispenser orifices(one or two) depends on whether the fluids need to be mixed before orafter they have been dispensed. One single outlet duct defining onedispenser orifice allows for and leads to the prior mixing of the twofluids inside the head, whereas with two outlet ducts and two dispenserorifices, the fluids will be mixed in part only or not at all afterbeing dispensed, i.e. on leaving the dispenser orifices. The choice ofproviding one or two outlet ducts depends to a large extent on the typeof fluid to be dispensed, and also on the desired effect at the momentof dispensing. Nevertheless, the present invention covers both of thesetwo variants.

In certain dispenser heads, the outlet duct(s) communicate(s) directlywith the coupling sleeve inlet ducts. In which case, the outlet ducts,which are preferably straight, extend transversally relative to theirrespective inlet ducts by forming an angle or a bend. Technically, it isthen necessary to offset the outlet ducts so that they extend parallel,side by side or one above the other. Of course, with this type of head,the dispenser orifice(s) are located in the plane containing theactuator rods. But, in order to obtain balanced pressures on the head,it is necessary to press about half way between the two actuator rods.Nevertheless, in so doing, dispensing takes place laterally, which ishighly unsatisfactory.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to remedy or at least to overcome theabove-mentioned problem of the prior art by defining a dispenser headthat is easy to make and in which the outlet duct(s) and theirassociated dispenser orifices are located between the two couplingsleeves in such a way that the fluid mixture is dispensed substantiallyalong the finger(s) used to press on the dispenser head. Of course, inthis case, the outlet ducts cannot be connected directly to theirrespective coupling sleeves.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,578 describes a dispenser with an actuator head thatcomprises two coupling sleeves, a dispenser endpiece, and a connectingcross member. The cross member connects the sleeves to the end-piece.Said cross member defines a connection duct connecting the inlet ductsformed by the sleeves to an outlet duct formed by the end-piece. Theconnection duct extends transversally relative both to the inlet ductsand to the outlet ducts. The connection duct includes two accessopenings which are closed by additional closure elements.

The present invention aims at simplifying the manufacture and assemblyof the dispenser head.

In order to achieve this aim, the present invention provides a dispenserhead for assembly on two parallel, hollow actuator rods, said head beingmade as a single piece of plastics material and comprising two parallelcoupling sleeves for engaging with respective ones of the actuator rods,the sleeves defining respective inlet ducts, a dispenser endpiecedefining at least one outlet duct discharging into at least onedispenser orifice, and a cross member linking the sleeves to theendpiece, the cross member defining at least one connection duct linkingthe inlet ducts to the outlet duct(s), said at least one connection ductextending transversally both relative to the sleeves and relative to theoutlet duct(s), said at least one connection duct including one accessopening closed by a closure element, the dispenser head beingcharacterized in that the closure element is made integrally with theremainder of the head.

As in the document U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,578, the cross member providesthe junction between the inlet ducts and the outlet duct(s). They arevery difficult to reach, given that they are not in line either with theinlet ducts or with the outlet duct(s). That is why this access openingis provided, thereby greatly facilitating molding, or more generally,manufacturing the head. Then, once the head has been manufactured, theaccess opening is closed in a leaktight manner by the closure element.Advantageously, the access opening is located at one axial end of theconnection duct so that a molding core can be introduced via the openingand pushed up to the other end of the duct, going in succession past aninlet duct and an outlet duct. Of course, the molding core may be amolding core which is introduced in the dispenser head mold duringmanufacture. The molding core may then be withdrawn by disengaging itthrough the access opening. The molding core comes into contact with twoother molding cores allowing for the molding of the respective inlet andoutlet ducts.

In an embodiment, the closure element is hinged on the head.Advantageously, the closure element pivots about an axis between an openposition and a closed position. In a practical embodiment, the closureelement comes in the form of a pivoting flap flexibly connected to theremainder of the head by a bridge. Preferably, the flap includes asealing stud to be inserted by force into the access opening. Thedispenser head may thus be manufactured in one piece, for example byinjecting plastic into a mold, combining the two coupling sleeves, thecross member, the end-piece, and the two leaktight closure flaps.

In a practical embodiment, the dispenser head includes two outlet ductsand two connection ducts, each linking an inlet duct with an outletduct, each connection duct being provided with an access opening and aclosure element located at opposite ends of the cross member. Thus, eachaccess opening gives access to a blind connection duct whose blind endcommunicates with a respective outlet duct. Given that the couplingsleeves are located rather on or near the ends of the cross member, eachmolding core enabling a connection duct to be formed comes into contactfirstly with the molding core forming the inlet duct and then with themolding core forming the outlet duct.

With a dispenser head of this structure or design, the dispenserendpiece is located approximately or accurately in the centre of thecross member, i.e. midway between the two coupling sleeves. As a result,by pressing on the dispenser head in the middle of the cross member,pressure is evenly applied, and if the actuation can be performed withone finger, dispensation takes place in line with the finger, which isquite natural.

The present invention also provides a pusher comprising such a dispenserhead, the pusher advantageously defining a housing for receiving thehead, which housing includes locking means for locking the closureelement(s) in the access opening(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of anon-limiting example.

In the Figures:

FIG. 1 is a partially transparent perspective view of a dispenser headof the invention when it comes out of the mold;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser head in FIG. 1 in afunctional state ready for use, and

FIG. 3 is a partially cut away view of a pusher incorporating adispenser head of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made initially to FIG. 1, which shows both the external andinternal structure of a dispenser head in one, non-limiting, embodimentof the invention. FIG. 1 corresponds to the state of the dispenser headon coming out of the mold. In fact, the dispenser head canadvantageously be manufactured by shaping plastics material in a mold,as is often the case for the parts which go to make up fluid dispensers.Nonetheless, it is also possible to manufacture the dispenser head ofthe invention by means other than by molding a plastics material.

The dispenser head comprises two coupling sleeves 11 and 12 which extendparallel to each other but at some distance apart, the distancecorresponding to the distance between the two hollow actuator rods oftwo dispenser components (pump or valve) which are assembled onrespective fluid containers. In order to simplify matters, the top, freeends of the hollow actuator rods are located at substantially the samelevel, so that the coupling sleeves 11 and 12 are also located at thesame level as each other. Internally, each of the coupling sleeves 11and 12 defines a respective inlet duct 110, 120, which is preferablystraight, and even circular and cylindrical. The actuator rods arecoupled to the sleeves 11 and 12 by introducing their top ends into theinlet ducts 110 and 120.

The dispenser head also comprises a cross member 10 which interconnectsthe two sleeves 11 and 12. Here, the cross member 10 is perfectlystraight, but it could also be bent or curved. The coupling sleeves 11and 12 connect to the cross member 10 at each opposite end of the crossmember 10, on its under side. The cross member 10 can thus be said to besupported by the two sleeves 11 and 12 at its two ends. Internally, thecross member 10 defines two advantageously straight connection ducts101, 102, which communicate directly with the inlet ducts 110 and 120 ofthe sleeves 11 and 12, respectively. It should be observed that theconnection ducts 101 and 120 are not in line with the inlet ducts 110and 120, but instead extend transversally or even perpendicularlythereto.

The dispenser head also comprises a dispenser endpiece 13 whichadvantageously connects to the cross member 10 in the middle of saidcross member. When the cross member 10 is bent, the dispenser endpiece13 connects to the cross member 10 at the bend formed by the crossmember. Internally, the dispenser endpiece 13 defines two outlet ducts131 and 132 which are advantageously straight. Each of the outlet ductscommunicates via one of its ends, with a respective one of theconnection ducts 101 and 102, and at its other free end it defines arespective dispenser orifice 1310 or 1320. Once again, it should beobserved that the ducts 131 and 132 are not in line with the connectionducts 101 and 102, but instead extend transversally or evenperpendicularly thereto.

Thus, the inlet duct 110 communicates with the outlet duct 131 via theconnection duct 101. In a symmetrical manner, the inlet duct 120communicates with the outlet duct 132 via the connection duct 102. Theinlet ducts extend in a vertical plane, whereas the connection andoutlet ducts extend in a horizontal plane but in different directions,which are advantageously perpendicular. It can thus be observed that theconnection ducts 101 and 102 extend transversally both relative to theinlet ducts 110 and 120 and in relation to the outlet ducts 131, 132. Asa result, in practice, it would be very difficult to gain access to theconnection ducts 101 and 102, and virtually impossible to mold them.

According to the invention, each connection duct 101, 102 is providedwith an access opening 1010, 1020. Preferably, these access openings arelocated at one end of the connection ducts so that they provide accessin rectilinear manner the entire length of the duct. In the embodimentshown in the figures, the access openings 1010 and 1020 are located atthe opposite longitudinal ends of the cross member, i.e. adjacent to thecoupling sleeve 12. These openings 1010 and 1020 extend in a verticalplane whereas the passage enabling communication between the inlet ducts110, 120 and the connection ducts 101, 102 extends in a horizontalplane. It is readily understood that it is easy to introduce respectivemolding cores into the connection ducts 101, 102 through theirrespective access openings 1010, 1020. Thus it is easy to position themolding cores which make it possible to form the connection ducts 101,102, and then withdraw them through the openings 1010, 1020. Forexample, the molding core for the connection duct 102 can thereby comeinto contact with the free end of the molding core forming the inletduct 120 in order to create the communication passage between the inletduct and the connection duct 102. Likewise, the molding core for theconnection duct 102 comes into contact, at its free end, with the freeend of the molding core for outlet duct 132 in order to create acommunication passage between the connection duct and the outlet duct132.

In the invention, these access openings 1010, 1020 are hermeticallyclosed by means of closure elements which act as leaktight stoppers.Advantageously, these closure elements can be manufactured as a singlecomponent with the remainder of the dispenser head. In the embodimentshown in the figures, the closure elements come in the form of flaps 14,15 which are advantageously hinged by pivoting on the remainder of thehead. The flaps 14, 15 can pivot advantageously around a rectilinearaxis 142, 152 embodied by bridges of flexible material that serve toconnect the flaps to the remainder of the head. In the embodiment shownin the figures, the flaps 14 and 15 are connected to the cross member 10at the edges of the opposite top ends located just above the accessopenings 1010, 1020. Each of the pivoting flaps 14, 15 advantageouslyforms a respective sealing stud 141, 151 adapted to be engaged by forceinto the respective openings 1010, 1020. By hinging the flaps to pivotabout stationary axes, it is possible to position the studs 141 and 151in precise and centered manner relative to the two access openings. InFIG. 1, the dispenser head is shown in a configuration corresponding tothat which it has on leaving the mold, i.e. with the flaps 14 and 15extending in a vertical plane above the cross member 10. In FIG. 2, theflaps 14 and 15 have been folded down by being pivoted about theirrespective axes 142, 152 so that they become located in line with theopposite ends of the cross member 10. The sealing studs 141 and 151 arethen engaged in leaktight manner in the openings 1010, 1020 which arethus hermetically closed. The dispenser head as shown in FIG. 2 is thenready for operation.

It should be observed that the dispenser head of the invention can bemanufactured as a single component, i.e. a component combining thecoupling sleeves 11 and 12, the cross member 10, the endpiece 13, andalso the two closure flaps 14 and 15. The method of connecting theclosure elements 14 and 15 to the remainder of the head, implemented inthis example by an advantageously pivoting hinge, constitutes merely oneadvantageous embodiment but it is not the only one. Moreover, thedispenser head shown in the drawings and described above includes twoconnection ducts 101 and 102, each provided with a respective accessopening 1010, 1020. Likewise, the dispenser endpiece 13 shown includestwo outlet ducts 131 and 132. It is however possible to manufacture adispenser head with only one outlet duct, and thus with only onedispenser orifice. In this case, the two connection ducts 101 and 102can be joined together so that they constitute a single connection ductthat extends along the entire length of the cross member 10. It is thenno longer necessary to provide for two access openings, since one isenough to engage the molding core which would then intercept both inletducts 110 and 120 as well as the single outlet duct.

As a variation, it is also possible to envisage embodying accessopenings not in the form of an opening located at one end of theconnection duct 102, but in the form of a lid which gives access to theentire length of the connection duct. It is then possible to imaginethat the cross member 10 could be provided with two pivoting lidslocated on its top face or on its rear face so that it is possible tomold the duct 102 and the inlet duct 120 or the outlet duct 132 with asingle molding core. Moreover, when there is only one outlet duct, thecross member 10 can be fitted with one longitudinal lid extendingpractically the entire length of said cross member so that, with asingle molding core, it is possible to mold both inlet ducts 110 and120, as well as the single connection duct.

FIG. 3 shows the dispenser head in FIGS. 1 and 2 integrated inside apusher 2 intended to overlap the dispenser components (pump and valve inthe “duo” dispenser). The pusher 2 comprises a substantially-cylindricalperipheral skirt 20 and a top wall forming a bearing surface 21, whichcan be depressed with one or more fingers. It should be observed thatthe bearing surface 21 is located substantially in the centre or in themiddle of the cross member 10 level with the dispenser endpiece 13. Thepusher 2 forms an internal housing adapted to receive the dispenser head1. Advantageously, the internal housing includes two locking catches 22for coming into contact with the closure flaps 14 and 15 in such amanner as to lock them in the position shown in FIG. 2, i.e. with theirsealing studs firmly engaged in the access openings. It is thusimpossible for the flaps to disengage from their associated accessopenings, which might lead to major leaks. Of course, it is alsopossible to guarantee that the head is leaktight at the flaps by usingconventional sealing techniques such as adhesive or heat sealing.

The invention makes it possible to provide a dispenser head for a “duo”dispenser as a single component whose dispenser outlet is locatedbetween the two actuator rods of the dispenser member.

1. A dispenser head (1) for assembly on two parallel, hollow actuatorrods, said head being made as a single piece of plastics material andcomprising: two parallel coupling sleeves (11, 12) for engaging withrespective ones of the actuator rods, the sleeves defining respectiveinlet ducts (110, 120); a dispenser endpiece (13) defining at least oneoutlet duct discharging into at least one dispenser orifice (1310,1320); and a cross member (10) linking the sleeves to the endpiece, thecross member defining at least one connection duct (101, 102) linkingthe inlet ducts (110,120) to the outlet duct(s) (1310, 1320), said atleast one connection duct extending transversally both relative to thesleeves and relative to the outlet duct(s), said at least one connectionduct (101, 102) including an access opening (1010, 1020) closed by aclosure element (14, 15), and wherein the closure element (14, 15) ismade integrally with the remainder (10, 11, 12, 13) of the head; andwherein the access opening is located at one axial end of the connectionduct so that a molding core can be introduced via the opening and pushedup to the other end of the duct, going in succession past an inlet ductand an outlet duct.
 2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, in whichthe closure element (14, 15) is hinged on the head.
 3. A dispenser headaccording to claim 2, in which the closure element (14, 15) pivots aboutan axis (142, 152) between an open position and a closed position.
 4. Adispenser head according to claim 3, in which the closure element comesin the form of a pivoting flap (14, 15) flexibly connected to theremainder of the head by a bridge (142, 152).
 5. A dispenser headaccording to claim 4, in which the flap (14, 15) includes a sealing stud(141, 151) for inserting by force into the access opening (1010, 1020).6. A pusher (2) including a dispenser head (1) according to claim 1,said pusher defining a housing to receive the head, said housingincluding means for locking (22) the closure element in the accessopening.
 7. A dispenser head for assembly on two parallel, hollowactuator rods, said head being made as a single piece of plasticsmaterial and comprising: two parallel coupling sleeves for engaging withrespective ones of the actuator rods, the sleeves defining respectiveinlet ducts; a dispenser endpiece defining at least one outlet ductdischarging into at least one dispenser orifice; and a cross memberlinking the sleeves to the endpiece, the cross member defining at leastone connection duct linking the inlet ducts to the at least one outletduct, said at least one connection duct extending transversally bothrelative to the sleeves and relative to the at least one outlet duct,said at least one connection duct including an access opening closed bya closure element, wherein the closure element is made integrally withthe remainder of the head; and wherein the dispenser head comprises twooutlet ducts (1310, 1320) and two connection ducts (101, 102) eachlinking an inlet duct (110, 120) with an outlet duct (1310, 1320), eachconnection duct being provided with a respective access opening (1010,1020) and a respective closure element (14, 15) located at opposite endsof the cross member (10).